Sierra Leone’s state-owned telecommunications company, Sierratel, has received a major boost following the launch of a landmark revival partnership with telecommunications giant Africell.
The partnership was officially launched on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown by President Retired Brigadier Dr. Julius Maada Bio.
The initiative marks a turning point for Sierratel, which has struggled for years under mounting financial challenges, including more than $35 million in external debts and unpaid staff salaries.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, President Bio described the partnership as a critical step toward restoring the country’s national telecommunications infrastructure.
“Sierratel has suffered far too long,” President Bio stated, emphasizing the importance of connectivity in driving innovation, economic growth, and national development.
He assured Sierra Leoneans that the partnership would expand access to communication services across the country, particularly benefiting young people and underserved communities.
Under the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) agreement, Africell will provide the network infrastructure and technological support needed for Sierratel’s operations without requiring capital investment from the Government.
Africell Chief Executive Officer, Shadi Gerjawi, confirmed that Sierratel customers would immediately gain access to voice, data, and mobile money services from the first day of implementation.
Gerjawi also disclosed that Africell would advance part of Sierratel’s outstanding salary and benefits obligations to support employees affected by years of financial hardship.
“Sierra Leoneans can once again say with pride that our national network is back,” he declared, adding that the partnership fulfills a long-standing commitment Africell made to Sierra Leone over two decades ago.
Minister of Communications, Technology and Innovation, Madam Salima Monorma Bah, stressed that the Government deliberately chose to revive rather than privatize Sierratel, maintaining state ownership while leveraging private sector expertise and efficiency.
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swarray, revealed that he encountered the same $35 million debt burden during his previous role as Minister of Information, describing the partnership as timely and necessary.
National Commission for Privatization (NCP) Commissioner, Dr. Alex Prince Harding, also welcomed the initiative and assured the public that the Commission would closely monitor implementation to ensure the partnership achieves its intended objectives.
The Sierratel-Africell partnership is widely being viewed as a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s efforts to strengthen digital connectivity and modernize telecommunications services nationwide.
